: An analytical procedure to detect N-(3-ethylsulfonyl-2-pyridinyl)-4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyridineamine, a degradation product deriving from the hydrolysis of rimsulfuron in soil, has been developed. The analytical standard was prepared by basic hydrolysis of rimsulfuron at pH 9 and puriÐcation on a silica gel chromatographic column. The compound obtained was stable at high temperature, thus enabling determination by gas chromatographic analysis. Soil samples were extracted with acetonitrile, puriÐed with a SPE C18 cartridge and analysed using both nitrogen phosphorus (NPD) and mass spectrometer detectors. The analytical procedure described proved to be sensitive and reproducible. Recoveries varied from 84 to 90%. The limit of sensitivity was 0É001 mg kg~1.

An analytical procedure to detect N‐(3‐ethylsulfonyl‐2‐pyridinyl)‐4,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐pyridineamine, a degradation product deriving from the hydrolysis of rimsulfuron in soil, has been developed. The analytical standard was prepared by basic hydrolysis of rimsulfuron at pH 9 and purification on a silica gel chromatographic column. The compound obtained was stable at high temperature, thus enabling determination by gas chromatographic analysis. Soil samples were extracted with acetonitrile, purified with a SPE C18 cartridge and analysed using both nitrogen phosphorus (NPD) and mass spectrometer detectors. The analytical procedure described proved to be sensitive and reproducible. Recoveries varied from 84 to 90%. The limit of sensitivity was 0·001 mg kg‐1. © 1997 SCI.